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Sickness and bullying closes maternity unit, MP says

Alex Loftus
BBC News, Somerset
MP Adam Dance claims "bullying from management" is partly to blame for the closure of a maternity unit

An MP has claimed high staff sickness rates at a maternity unit which has been temporarily closed were driven in part by bullying.

Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset announced its maternity unit would be closed for at least six months in May, attributing the closure to "high levels of sickness" among senior paediatricians.

On Tuesday, Yeovil MP Adam Dance told the House of Commons staff absences were "partly caused by a lack of , and toxic work culture, and bullying from management".

The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said it would "continue" to speak with MPs about their concerns.

Mr Dance told the BBC he is "really concerned" the unit will not reopen.

During the debate on Tuesday, minister for secondary care Karin Smith said local leaders had assured her it is "not intended to be permanent".

Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox said "mothers across Somerset will suffer" while the unit is shut.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Dance said he had been told finance issues were not the reason for the closure, but added: "If it's not down to money, why aren't they looking at getting locums [temporary staff] in":[]}